12 daily rituals that boost health and happiness

Posted byLeanna25/05/20180 Comment(s)

Do you have daily rituals, things you do every day - or at least try to? I know that it can be hard to follow through on all of the things you’d love to do in your day and so here are 12 rituals that fit easily into your schedule and leave you feeling happier (and healthier)!

MAKING YOUR BED
Returning home to an unmade bed doesn’t feel good. Taking just a few moments to make it each day when you get up helps you start the day on a positive note. It never takes long (unless the dog wants to get on it), and the appearance of a well-made bed is a good way to get going in the mornings.

EATING A HEALTHY LUNCH
Do you grab a quick sandwich at your local coffee shop each day for lunch? If you’re tempted by those lunch deals you see each day, spend a few minutes each night packing a lunch for the next day. Healthy options include salads, protein-packed lunch pots, and anything that doesn’t go too heavy on the carbs.

STAYING HYDRATED
You don’t need to drink umpteen glasses of water a day to stay hydrated. However, be sure to adjust the amount you drink depending on how much activity you do each day. Headaches, fogginess, and a general feeling of being tired can all stem from not drinking enough.

CLEAN YOUR SKIN
Treat all of your skin with the same respect and use high quality natural products to wake it up in the morning and keep it feeling fresh and comfortable all day. If you’re new to natural products then try swapping one thing at a time to make the transition easier on your skin and budget! You’ll love the difference that it makes to your skin.

STEERING CLEAR OF PROCESSED FOOD
Have you noticed how sluggish processed food makes you feel? Cutting out all processed food can be a challenge. However, cooking from scratch means you know what goes into all your food. Use pure ingredients and you’ll be amazed at the difference you feel within yourself.

AVOID THE WHITE STUFF
Yes, I’m talking about sugar. It’s a real challenge to remove it all together and so try taking baby steps – swap a sugary drink for a glass of water or turn down the biscuits when they’re being passed around the office! I know that these small things don’t seem like they can make that much of a difference but trust me, they really do. Before long you’ll naturally reach for less of it and that will leave you feeling so much more clear and with a natural burst of energy! Try it – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

BE THANKFUL
This may sound odd but spending the first couple of minutes of the day feeling grateful for a new beginning can be life-affirming. How many things are you thankful for? It’s incredible just how much this can help shape the day ahead of you and rebalance your mood. Click here to read more on how to develop a gratitude mindset.

FIND TIME TO MEDITATE
Even five minutes makes a huge difference. There is plenty of advice around on how to meditate, but if you don’t want to go too in-depth with it, just find a quiet spot to sit and close your eyes for a few minutes. I meditate in the morning and also find a quiet few minutes during the day to simply be for a while, give it a go and see how it transforms your day. Take a look at our collection of natural meditation candles, each one created to evoke feelings of Love, Gratitude, Trust or Peace.

ANCHOR YOURSELF IN THE MOMENT
It’s oh so easy to look ahead, to worry about possible future events, to look back and have regrets… you get the idea. It’s not so easy to remain in the moment (this is the crux of mindfulness, of course), but practising it regularly helps you feel calmer and more settled in yourself.

ADD IN SOME ACTIVITY
What makes you happy? Do you love walking? Do you love hitting the gym early before anyone else gets there? Do you prefer to head to the pool for a swim after work?

Whatever it is, regular daily exercise – even just for 20 minutes or so – almost guarantees you’ll feel healthier and happier every day.

SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY
Even if you live alone, find time each day to connect with the people you love. Even a quick phone call or text conversation is better than nothing. It’s about connecting with others. Try and make the connections as free from other distractions as possible so that you enjoy your time spent with those that mean the most to you.

SMILE!
A few years ago, a study found that forcing a smile made people more positive than if they didn’t smile at all. Smiling decreases feelings of stress and it certainly helps you feel happier. I’ve tried it – I made a point of smiling and saying ‘morning’ to people on the early dog walk each day. You’d be surprised how many people respond in kind. Maybe they feel happier during the day too? Just imagine the ripple effect this could have.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed at trying all 12 rituals, add in one at a time – the one that feels easiest. You’ll soon find you can attempt several each day, as they’ll become habits you are happy to keep up.

AUTHOR: LEANNA DOOLIN

Co – Founder of holistic skincare brand, Pure Thoughts and advocate for women finding pause in their day to breathe deeply, give thanks and reconnect to what matters. Loves early mornings, dogs and books that you can’t put down.

We believe in finding pause; a few minutes to breathe deeply and still your mind. It's in these small moments of recharge and reconnection that we believe lies the power to live a calm and more conscious life. Read more.